The past five years have seen significant shifts in how veterinary practices provide care. From the prominence of telemedicine and clients’ growing desire for more information to the use of practice management software and communication tools, processes throughout the office are evolving.
During roughly the same timeframe, the power of advanced imaging has blossomed. There is more imaging clarity and easier availability of equipment—even in community practice environments. As CT and MRI machines are no longer exclusive to specialized veterinary hospitals, providers are using these tools to proactively respond to changes in care standards. It could even be argued that imaging’s stronger capabilities are inspiring care standards themselves.
Diagnose problems earlier
The new clarity of imaging available from CT machines can be central to diagnosing problems earlier—when critical impacts from a problem can be prevented. This approach reduces the need for medication and its challenging side effects by allowing providers to get ahead of issues. Practices have also found that, as pharmacies have been impacted by a growing online marketplace, such a reduction also prevents further exposure to disrupted pharmacy sales.
Looking at the treatment of middle ear disease exemplifies this approach. A provider may see a dog for an infection and prescribe medication that appears to solve the issue. However, the effects can be temporary, with the infection returning multiple times. What if a CT scan is used to image exactly what’s happening? If the scan identifies something such as chronic middle ear disease, the care team could propose surgery to permanently address the issue and give the animal a healthier quality of life.
Dental care also shows CT’s potential contribution to stronger animal health. It can identify hard-to-view dental infections, approximately 80 percent of which are located below the gum and can’t be seen with the naked eye. When providers can locate an infection with a CT scan, they will typically pull an infected tooth—benefiting the animal’s mouth, as well as overall health.
CT scans can be used in a range of other areas, such as identifying issues with brachycephalic dogs. These dogs are prone to developmental and dental disorders, which traditional radiography can’t diagnose easily. There’s a wide range of CT scan views, including transverse, sagittal, and dorsal slices, that help providers see what’s happening in otherwise difficult-to-view environments.1
Wider care options
In recent years, clients have shown they are looking for two things as they build a relationship with their veterinarian. The first is efficiency—clients want to do more in less time. Millennials and younger pet owners, many of whom are willing to invest deeply in the wellbeing of their animals, appreciate convenience. They look for automated communications, ranging from text updates on procedures to appointment reminders and easier online scheduling. Having on-site capabilities of MRI and/or CT procedures makes your practice a one-stop shop that is more appealing to clients. With everything they need in their veterinarian’s clinic, clients will not have to be referred to multiple practices and experience a string of appointment to get the care they need.
Having the functionality of advanced imaging is also more appealing to potential staff, including associate veterinarians, who can be difficult to recruit and retain in a competitive marketplace. Given education continues throughout their career, new doctors want mentorship, real-world training, and a range of treatment options that will help them learn.
Rather than simply being told what to do by their veterinarian, the current and upcoming generation of pet owners are looking to understand their pet’s condition.2 Advanced digital imaging allows providers to share more detail with clients so they can comprehend, and be more comfortable with, care recommendations.
Information from advanced imaging can also help clients understand exactly what is happening in more serious, even life-threatening, situations—allowing them to make difficult discussions more comfortably. MRI imaging, particularly when used for neurological and back diagnoses, lets clients know what is happening at a deeper level, helping them decide between advanced treatment, medication, and even euthanasia. The detail provides owners with the emotional security of knowing they are making the right decision.
Orthopedic imaging is particularly useful to both diagnose problems and explain conditions to pet owners. When clients report their dog has a subtle limp or is slow to climb the stairs, providers can use a CT scan to identify a clear bone break or show how the head of the femur is completely worn off. Using digital imaging here ensures both providers and clients are given the opportunity to learn more.
Getting the most out of advanced digital imaging
Advanced imaging capabilities are becoming more popular because they are workable, both financially and functionally. Additionally, the patient costs for procedures can be minimal if clients have vet insurance, which routinely covers diagnostics. When practices decide to bring advanced imaging into their care portfolio, there are several measures they can take to ensure maximum value for patients, clients, and the practice:
- Properly position patients: Help clients—who don’t look at images every day the way care teams do—get their bearings when showing them their pet’s image. It’s also important to point out normal anatomy before comparing it to a problem area to indicate why a procedure would be helpful.
- Keep machines in top shape: To experience maximum performance from machines, keep them operating well. Running daily calibrations is a key part of maintaining accuracy. Keeping up with preventative maintenance is also crucial. Depending on the model, scheduled maintenance should occur at intervals ranging from every quarter to every other year. These kinds of proactive actions help catch problems earlier which makes them easier, and less expensive, to fix.
Advanced imaging in the future
With the functions and capabilities of advanced imaging, practices can benefit from comprehensive diagnostic information, providing clients a better understanding of their pet’s condition. Additionally, as these tools become widely available and more affordable, advanced imaging may soon become a part of every veterinarian’s care standards.
Kelly Thompson serves as equipment sales manager for Kane Veterinary Supplies, where she manages the company’s companion animal division. Thompson has 26 years of experience in the field of veterinary equipment sales. She has bred and raised both horses and dogs—this connection to animal health underlies her commitment to providing the best products and services to the veterinary community.
References
1 Sophie Döring, et al., “Evaluation of the diagnostic yield of dental radiography and cone-beam computed tomography for the identification of anatomic landmarks in small to medium-sized brachycephalic dogs,” American Journal of Veterinary Research 79, no. 1 (2018): 59-60.
2 Tony McReynolds, “What Millennial Pet Owners Want,” NEWStat, October 2, 2019, https://www.aaha.org/publications/newstat/articles/2019-10/what-millennial-pet-owners-want/
